Across the world, Muslims have begun celebrating the festival of Eid al-Fitr - one of the most important dates in the Muslim calendar which marks the end of the holy festival of Ramadan.
Eid officially begins when the new moon is sighted in the sky and this year, it has been observed in countries from China, Malaysia and Indonesia to Afghanistan on the 6 July. Russia and Turkey began their celebrations the day before and for others, celebrations will commence on 7 July. Worshippers see the festival as a period to spend quality time with family members, exchange gifts and share meals.
A Malaysian girl looks on after Eid al-Fitr prayers at the National mosque in Kuala LumpurManan Vatsyayana/ AFPA Chinese Hui Muslim family prays at the 'Sheiks Tombs' after Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesMalaysian Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers at the National mosque in Kuala LumpurManan Vatsyayana/ AFPFilipino Muslims participate in morning prayers as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the grounds of Luneta Park in ManilaNoel Celis/ AFPFilipino Muslims participate in morning prayers as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the grounds of Luneta Park in ManilaNoel Celis/ AFPA Chinese Hui Muslim woman weeps as he prays at the 'Sheiks Tombs' after Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesAfghan Muslims hug each other after offering prayers at the start of the Eid al-Fitr holiday in KabulWakil Kohsar/ AFPIndonesian women attend Eid Al-Fitr prayer on 'sea of sands' at Parangkusumo beach in Yogyakarta, IndonesiaUlet Ifansasti/ Getty ImagesSri Lankan muslims depart after offering Eid prayers on the first day of the Eid al-Fitr festival at the Galle Face esplanade in ColomboLakruwan Wanniarachchi/ AFPA Chinese Hui Muslim guards the door as others prepare to pray during Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesMen offer prayers at the start of the Eid al-Fitr holiday which marks the end of Ramadan at the Shah-e Do Shamshira mosque in Kabul, AfghanistanWakil Kohsar/ AFPFilipino Muslims participate in morning prayers as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the grounds of Luneta Park in ManilaNoel Celis/ AFPA Pakistani muslim offers Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Badshahi Masjid in Lahore, PakistanArif Ali/ AFPLibyan Muslim worshippers gather on Martyrs' Square in the capital Tripoli to perform Eid al-Fitr prayersMahmud Turkia/ AFPA Chinese Hui Muslim woman helps another with her headscarf before Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesIranian Muslim women perform Eid al-Fitr prayers in western TehranAtta Kenare/ AFPPakistani muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Badshahi Masjid in Lahore, PakistanArif Ali/ AFPIndonesian women attend Eid Al-Fitr prayer on 'sea of sands' at Parangkusumo beach in YogyakartaUlet Ifansasti/ Getty ImagesA young girl with hands decorated with henna looks on after Eid al-Fitr prayers at the National mosque in Kuala LumpurManan Vatsyayana/ AFPA Chinese Hui Muslim woman arrives for Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque in BeijingKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesIndonesian women attend Eid Al-Fitr prayer on 'sea of sands' at Parangkusumo beach in Yogyakarta, IndonesiaUlet Ifansasti/ Getty ImagesAfghan women ask for alms during prayers at the start of the Eid al-Fitr at the Shah-e Do Shamshira mosque in KabulWakil Kohsar/ AFPMalaysian Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers at the National mosque in Kuala LumpurManan Vatsyayana/ AFPA group of Muslim women offer morning prayers during Eid al-Fitr celebrations outside a mosque in Tangerang, in the suburbs of Jakarta, IndonesiaGoh Chai Hin/ AFPIndonesian muslims walk on 'sea of sands' after they perform Eid Al-Fitr prayer on 'sea of sands' at Parangkusumo beach in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.Ulet Ifansasti/ Getty ImagesAfghan muslims hug, after offering prayers at the start of Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan, at the Jami mosque in Herat province, AfghanistanAref Karimi/ AFP
